# Google Images Scraper (`fetch_cat/google-images-scraper`) Actor

Extract ranked Google Images results with image URLs, source pages, titles, thumbnails, dimensions, and localization metadata.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/fetch\_cat/google-images-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Hanna Nosova](https://apify.com/fetch_cat) (community)
- **Categories:** Developer tools, Marketing
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $1.20 / 1,000 image scrapeds

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

- **AI agents and MCP clients** — the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md) at `https://mcp.apify.com` (remote, streamable HTTP, OAuth on first use).
- **Agentic workflows and local Actor development** — [Agent Skills](https://apify.com/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json) with the [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): `npm install -g apify-cli`, then `apify login`.
- **JavaScript/TypeScript projects** — the official [JS/TS client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): `npm install apify-client`.
- **Python projects** — the official [Python client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): `pip install apify-client`.
- **Any other language** — the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).

# README

## Google Images Scraper

Extract ranked Google Images results for one or more search queries. The Actor returns direct image URLs when available, source pages, result titles, thumbnails, dimensions, source domains, rank positions, and localization metadata.

Use it when you need exportable image-search data for research, SEO, visual merchandising, brand monitoring, competitive analysis, or AI workflows that need image candidates with their source pages.

### What you can scrape

- Ranked Google Images results for keyword searches
- Image result URLs and thumbnail URLs
- Source page URLs and source domains
- Result titles and publisher/source names
- Image and thumbnail dimensions when Google exposes them
- Image size labels when present
- Page number and rank position within each query
- Language, country, and SafeSearch settings used for the run

### Who is it for?

- **SEO and content teams** checking what visuals rank for commercial keywords.
- **E-commerce teams** researching product imagery and source pages.
- **Brand and reputation teams** monitoring image results around brands, people, or campaigns.
- **AI builders** collecting image candidates and source URLs for downstream review.
- **Market researchers** comparing localized image results across countries and languages.

### Input example

Use search queries rather than Google result URLs.

```json
{
  "queries": ["running shoes", "modern kitchen design"],
  "maxItems": 20,
  "resultsPerQuery": 10,
  "language": "en",
  "country": "us",
  "safeSearch": "active",
  "uniqueImagesOnly": true,
  "minDelaySeconds": 2,
  "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": true }
}
```

### Input settings

| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---:|---|
| `queries` | array | One or more Google Images search queries. Empty values are ignored. |
| `maxItems` | integer | Maximum total image records to save across all queries. |
| `resultsPerQuery` | integer | Maximum image records to save for each individual query. |
| `language` | string | Google interface language (`hl`), for example `en`, `es`, `de`, or `fr`. |
| `country` | string | Google country/region (`gl`), for example `us`, `gb`, `de`, or `fr`. |
| `safeSearch` | string | SafeSearch mode: `active` or `off`. |
| `uniqueImagesOnly` | boolean | Skip duplicate image/source URLs across pages and queries. |
| `minDelaySeconds` | integer | Delay between paginated requests to reduce rate limiting. |
| `proxyConfiguration` | object | Apify Proxy settings. Recommended for stable Google access. |

### Ready-to-run examples

- **[Scrape Google Images by keyword](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/google-images-scraper/examples/scrape-google-images-by-keyword)** — collect ranked image results for a public search term.
- **[Export Google image URLs and source pages](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/google-images-scraper/examples/export-google-image-urls)** — export direct image URLs when available, thumbnails, publishers, and source pages.
- **[Use Google Images as an API](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/google-images-scraper/examples/google-images-search-api)** — return structured image-search records for API, webhook, SDK, or MCP workflows.
- **[Research product image competitors](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/google-images-scraper/examples/product-image-competitor-research)** — compare publishers and product visuals across commercial searches.
- **[Audit Google Image SEO rankings](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/google-images-scraper/examples/google-image-seo-ranking-audit)** — see which pages, domains, and visual formats rank for target keywords.
- **[Compare localized Google Images results](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/google-images-scraper/examples/localized-google-images-results)** — collect image results for a chosen language and country.

[View all ready-to-run Google Images Scraper examples](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/google-images-scraper/examples).

### Output example

Each dataset item represents one Google Images result.

```json
{
  "query": "running shoes",
  "page": 0,
  "position": 1,
  "title": "The Best Running Shoes for Men in 2026...",
  "source": "Men's Health",
  "thumbnailUrl": "https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?...",
  "thumbnailWidth": 224,
  "thumbnailHeight": 225,
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/...",
  "sourceDomain": "www.menshealth.com",
  "imageUrl": "https://hips.hearstapps.com/...jpg",
  "imageWidth": 1120,
  "imageHeight": 1121,
  "imageSize": "210KB",
  "googleImageId": "ELT4DI4K-Fif6M",
  "googleResultId": "nJZfuYDvcDQy9M",
  "language": "en",
  "country": "us",
  "safeSearch": "active"
}
```

### Output fields

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| `query` | Search query that produced the image result. |
| `page` | Zero-based Google Images page index requested by the Actor. |
| `position` | Rank position within the query output saved by the Actor. |
| `title` | Result title shown by Google Images. |
| `source` | Publisher or source label shown by Google. |
| `thumbnailUrl` | Google thumbnail image URL. |
| `thumbnailWidth`, `thumbnailHeight` | Thumbnail dimensions when available. |
| `sourceUrl` | Page that Google associates with the image result. |
| `sourceDomain` | Hostname parsed from the source URL or supplied by Google. |
| `imageUrl` | Direct image URL when Google exposes it. |
| `imageWidth`, `imageHeight` | Original image dimensions when available. |
| `imageSize` | Image size label when available. |
| `googleImageId`, `googleResultId` | Google result identifiers useful for deduplication/debugging. |
| `language`, `country`, `safeSearch` | Localization and SafeSearch settings used for the request. |

### Limits and troubleshooting

Google can rate limit automated traffic. The Actor avoids returning silent empty success when Google returns an unusual-traffic or CAPTCHA page. If one query fails after other queries saved results, the Actor preserves the partial dataset and logs the failed query.

Practical tips:

- Keep `minDelaySeconds` at `2` or higher for larger runs.
- Use Apify Proxy for better reliability.
- Split very large keyword lists into smaller scheduled runs.
- Use `resultsPerQuery` to keep one broad query from consuming the whole `maxItems` budget.
- If a query has fewer visible Google Images results than requested, the Actor returns the available records.

### Pricing

This Actor uses pay-per-event pricing: a small run-start event and one event per image result saved. Exact current tiered rates are always shown on the live [Google Images Scraper Pricing tab](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/google-images-scraper/pricing).

You only pay the per-result event for records saved to the dataset. Failed validation before scraping does not produce result charges.

### API usage

Use this as a Google Images API workflow when you need scheduled exports through Apify, SDK clients, webhooks, or MCP.

#### JavaScript / Node.js

```js
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

const client = new ApifyClient({ token: process.env.APIFY_TOKEN });
const run = await client.actor('fetch_cat/google-images-scraper').call({
  queries: ['running shoes'],
  maxItems: 20,
  resultsPerQuery: 10,
});
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
console.log(items);
```

#### Python

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

client = ApifyClient('YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN')
run = client.actor('fetch_cat/google-images-scraper').call(run_input={
    'queries': ['running shoes'],
    'maxItems': 20,
    'resultsPerQuery': 10,
})
items = client.dataset(run['defaultDatasetId']).list_items().items
print(items)
```

#### cURL

```bash
curl -X POST 'https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/fetch_cat~google-images-scraper/runs?token=YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"queries":["running shoes"],"maxItems":20,"resultsPerQuery":10}'
```

### MCP and agent usage

Use this Actor from Apify MCP when an AI agent needs image-search candidates with source pages. Configure the MCP server with the Actor-specific tools parameter:

```text
https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch_cat/google-images-scraper
```

Claude CLI example:

```bash
claude mcp add apify-google-images https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch_cat/google-images-scraper
```

MCP JSON configuration example:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apify-google-images": {
      "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch_cat/google-images-scraper"
    }
  }
}
```

Example prompts for MCP usage:

```text
Find 20 Google Images results for "modern kitchen design" in the US, then summarize the recurring source domains and image themes.
```

```text
Collect image URLs for "electric bikes" and group the results by sourceDomain for a market-research brief.
```

### Related actors

- [Google Search Results Scraper](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/google-search-results-scraper) for standard Google web results.
- [Google Shopping Results Scraper](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/google-shopping-results-scraper) for product-search results.
- [Google Trends Scraper](https://apify.com/fetch_cat/google-trends-scraper) for trend context around image-search keywords.

### FAQ

#### How can I scrape Google Images results by keyword?

Put one or more search terms in `queries`, set `maxItems` and `resultsPerQuery`, and run the Actor. It returns ranked Google Images results for those keywords.

#### Can I export Google Images image URLs, source pages, thumbnails, and dimensions?

Yes. Dataset rows include direct image URLs when exposed, Google thumbnail URLs, source pages/domains, result titles, and image dimensions when available.

#### Can I scrape direct Google Images result pages?

Use keyword queries in `queries`. The Actor is designed for search terms, not pasted browser result URLs.

#### Does it download image files?

No. It exports image URLs, thumbnail URLs, dimensions, and source pages. Downloading and storing binary files should be handled in a downstream workflow if you have the right to do so.

#### Why did I get fewer items than requested?

Some queries expose fewer structured image records, duplicates can be skipped, or Google may rate limit a page. Check the run log for per-query counts and diagnostics.

#### Can I localize results?

Yes. Set `language` and `country` to the Google locale you want to test, for example `en`/`us`, `de`/`de`, or `fr`/`fr`.

#### Is it available through API and MCP?

Yes. You can run it with the Apify API, SDK clients, scheduled tasks, webhooks, integrations, or the Apify MCP server.

#### How should I use the exported URLs responsibly?

Review the source pages and rights before reusing images. This Actor provides search-result metadata; it does not grant rights to copy or republish images.

### Support

Open an issue on the Actor page if a query returns no results, localization behaves unexpectedly, or Google starts returning block pages for your workload. Include the run ID and input used.

# Actor input Schema

## `queries` (type: `array`):

One or more Google Images search queries to scrape.

## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):

Maximum number of image result records to save across all queries.

## `resultsPerQuery` (type: `integer`):

Maximum number of image result records to save for each individual query.

## `language` (type: `string`):

Google interface language code, for example en, es, de, or fr.

## `country` (type: `string`):

Google country/region code, for example us, gb, de, or fr.

## `safeSearch` (type: `string`):

SafeSearch mode sent to Google Images.

## `uniqueImagesOnly` (type: `boolean`):

Skip duplicate image/source URLs across pages and queries.

## `minDelaySeconds` (type: `integer`):

Minimum delay between paginated Google requests. A small delay reduces rate limiting.

## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`):

Apify Proxy is recommended because Google can rate limit direct datacenter traffic. When no proxy group is selected, the Actor starts with Apify Residential proxies and falls back to the default pool if needed.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "queries": [
    "running shoes",
    "modern kitchen design"
  ],
  "maxItems": 20,
  "resultsPerQuery": 10,
  "language": "en",
  "country": "us",
  "safeSearch": "active",
  "uniqueImagesOnly": true,
  "minDelaySeconds": 2,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": [
      "RESIDENTIAL"
    ]
  }
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `overview` (type: `string`):

No description

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "queries": [
        "running shoes",
        "modern kitchen design"
    ],
    "maxItems": 20,
    "resultsPerQuery": 10,
    "language": "en",
    "country": "us"
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("fetch_cat/google-images-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "queries": [
        "running shoes",
        "modern kitchen design",
    ],
    "maxItems": 20,
    "resultsPerQuery": 10,
    "language": "en",
    "country": "us",
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("fetch_cat/google-images-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"])
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "queries": [
    "running shoes",
    "modern kitchen design"
  ],
  "maxItems": 20,
  "resultsPerQuery": 10,
  "language": "en",
  "country": "us"
}' |
apify call fetch_cat/google-images-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "mcp-remote",
                "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch_cat/google-images-scraper",
                "--header",
                "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_API_TOKEN>"
            ]
        }
    }
}

```

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/8J6xuPAR3u7nCTKU2/builds/AZWrB4lCz67AGmZSL/openapi.json